Coop door

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vinkelp

vinkelp

Hatching
May 18, 2016
2
0
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Hey I'm new to the chicken world we are just getting started. I was wondering if I need to close my coop doo to the chicken run every night or if I can leave it open? I will have thee feeder and waterer outside. The coop is 4x6 and the run is 12x14 completely enclosed including the top with chicken wire.
 
You are better off closing your coop door to keep them safe. Please try to add water and feeders inside asap. Mink are very small and crafty. Please go check out the Learning Center if you haven't yet. 4 sq. ft per bird inside and 10 sq. ft. per outside is rule of thumb here. I will talk to you more tomorrow. Good luck!
 
Feeder outside will draw mice, rats, and everything else bad. Keep the coop door closed at night, that is when most predators are prowling for a meal. Chicken wire keeps chickens IN, does nothing to keep Predators OUT. 1/2 inch hardware cloth is pretty much the gold standard for serious fencing, tops, bottoms , sides, and backing windows that can be opened.
 
Hi and welcome to BYC - you have some great advice already so I'll just say hello!

All the best
CT
 
welcome-byc.gif


I think it really depends on where you live...I live in a neighborhood..no fields, woods, or swamps near by. I leave mine open most of the time. I've seen cats lurking around, but they haven't gone in the coop..that I know of. All of my chickens have been fine for yrs. now. If you have predators like racoon, skunk, mink..the list goes on, you know what they would be where you are..then close that coop door! :)
 
Cynthia12 said:
:welcome

   I think it really depends on where you live...I live in a neighborhood..no fields, woods, or swamps near by.   I leave mine open most of the time. I've seen cats lurking around, but they haven't gone in the coop..that I know of.  All of my chickens have been fine for yrs. now.  If you have predators like racoon, skunk, mink..the list goes on, you know what they would be where you are..then close that coop door!   :)
Click to expand...

You are very lucky! I have seen raccoons in town here and coyotes also. I would worry over a stray cat or dog getting in if it wasn't for my fence and dig barrier. I only worry about mink and weasels getting in fence spaces.
 
thank you everybody for the advice. I a going to pick up 5 tetra browns tomorrow night I want to have everything ready for my new ladies!
 
My daughter also lives in a neighborhood and a racoon took out all 6 of her chickens...it was a literal bloodbath in the coop as the door was open and the chickens cornered. Needless to say she did not clean up..she let hubby do it.
 

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